The second edition of this important book brings practising managers and academics up--to--date on the social and economic impact and presents new survey evidence and summarizes the debate which has emerged on the subject of Japanization since the mid 1980s.

List of Figures. List of Tables. Foreword. Acknowledgements. Introduction. 1. Western Interest in Japan. 2. Japanese Industrial Practice. 3. Theoretical Perspectives. 4. Case Studies in Emulation. 5. Manufacturing Practices and UK Companies. 6. Personnel Practices and UK Companies. 7. Suppliers, Retailers and UK Companies. 8. Cases: Three Japanese Companies in the UK. 9. Japanese Companies in Britain. 10. Industrial Relations and Trade Unions. 11. Policy Implications and Conclusions.

Since the first edition, Japanese investment in Britain and British managers' interest in their management techniques has continued to develop. The second edition of this important book brings practising managers and academics up-to-date on the social and economic impact of the developments. It presents new survey evidence and summarizes the debate which has emerged on the subject of Japanization since the mid 1980s. * Describes the emergence and operation of Japanese industrial practice in Japan. * Presents a detailed description and analysis of attempts by companies to emulate aspects of Japanese management - especially manufacturing systems. * Examines the obstacles to Japanization. * Considers the implications for work organization, employee relations, and supplier and retailer relations. * Special attention is given to the response of the British trade union movement to japanization and the policy implications of the whole phenomenon.

"This book is of clear value in providing the academic and practitioner reader with a comprehensive review of trends and debates; it is well-organised and clearly written and it contains many stimuli to further research in the field of Japanisation." "Oliver and Wilkinson supply empirical evidence on the spread of 'Japanisation' in UK manufacturing." Competitive Advantages of Far Eastern Business